THE Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea came in an even bigger way to the Molongle Beach Caravan Park shelter by the seaside near Gumlu on Sunday, June 18, as a crowd of almost 60 people raised a total of $2667 at the event.
In 9 years, a milestone has been reached, with a total of $10,000 raised since 2014, with the only year the event was not held was the covid year of 2020.
A big “Thank You” was extended to all those who attended the event, for their generosity towards the worthy cause.
Each year, there is a huge spread of sweets and savouries, together with a variety of coffees and teas for the Caravan Park patrons, who travelled from the south, as well as locals and friends from the Burdekin and Bowen districts and their friends from Townsville.
Fundraising was carried out through sales of cent sale and raffle tickets, as well as money boards, while the guessing of the number of lollies and teabags was another distraction.
There were almost 100 cent sale prizes and a dozen larger raffle prizes, which were all donated.
Raffle donors included Cornetts IGA Home Hill, the Sandbar Café at Molongle Beach, the Gumlu Tavern, Lands Family Farms, Maria Totorica, Sharon Gist, Christine Hinds and the Complete Health Pharmacy in Home Hill.
A generous donation was also offered by the Home Hill/Ayr Lions Club.
An extra $1000 was raised in bidding on an auction of a 2022 signed Cowboys’ away Jersey, which was donated and framed by the Gumlu State School and the Gumlu Parents and Citizens Association.
The highest bid from Colin and Tracy Skinner, of Bowen was a generous $1000.
MC for the morning, Gumlu Principal, Thomas Harrington, ensured all ran smoothly, as he
introduced two speakers who reflected upon their own experiences of knowing close ones afflicted by cancer.
High school teacher, Nyree Woods, reminded everyone of the fact that they have all either been impacted or know of someone who has fallen victim to this disease and how important it is to be grateful for the many people in healthcare who are doing their utmost to work towards a cancer-free world.
Christie Gist, who travelled to Gumlu from Townsville with her mother and grandmother, also delivered a heartwarming speech highlighting the recent loss of a colleague to cancer.
Originally from Home Hill, she is a clinical nurse, who has been working at Townsville Palliative Care for four years and knows first-hand of the impact of the suffering of patients and their loved ones.
Christie is a registered nurse, who participates in the Queensland Ambulance Services’ “Make a Wish” scheme, which helps patients on a journey to fulfil their last wish.
She stressed that every little effort is valuable and contributes to the vitally needed funds to help with research and support, as we move forward to a vision of becoming cancer free. In essence, together we can all help to make a difference.
Organisers of the Morning Tea were Regina Lequerica and Nadine and Katrina Land.
